Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 16, 2026

High Throughput Microinjections of Sea Urchin Zygotes
12:40

High Throughput Microinjections of Sea Urchin Zygotes

Published on: January 21, 2014

Microinjection of Helobdella (leech) embryos.

David A Weisblat1, Dian-Han Kuo

  • 1Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720-3200, USA. weisblat@berkeley.edu

Cold Spring Harbor Protocols
|February 12, 2010
PubMed
Summary

Microinjection into Helobdella (leech) embryos enables detailed study of embryonic development, allowing researchers to trace cell fates and manipulate gene expression. This technique is versatile for various cell sizes and developmental stages.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

The priming factor, CAPS, mediates somatic exocytosis of serotonin.

Neuroscience·2026
Same author

Evolutionary History of Bilaterian FoxP Genes: Complex Ancestral Functions and Evolutionary Changes Spanning 2R-WGD in the Vertebrate Lineage.

Molecular biology and evolution·2025
Same author

Transgenesis enables mapping of segmental ganglia in the leech Helobdella austinensis.

The Journal of experimental biology·2024
Same author

Acceleration of genome rearrangement in clitellate annelids.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2024
Same author

Slit-Robo expression in the leech nervous system: insights into eyespot evolution.

Cell & bioscience·2023
Same author

Glossiphoniid leeches as a touchstone for studies of development in clitellate annelids.

Current topics in developmental biology·2022

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Biology
  • Zoology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Helobdella (leech) embryos offer a valuable experimental system due to their suitability for microinjection.
  • Microinjection allows for precise delivery of substances into cells for developmental studies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe a versatile homemade pressure injection system for microinjecting Helobdella embryos.
  • To detail methods for studying embryonic development using microinjection techniques.

Main Methods:

  • Microinjection of blastomeres (zygote to primary blast cells) via pressure or iontophoresis.
  • Immobilization of embryos using suction in a custom chamber for targeted cell injection.
  • Visualization of cells using transillumination with a dark-field condenser.

More Related Videos

Localized RNAi and Ectopic Gene Expression in the Medicinal Leech
16:19

Localized RNAi and Ectopic Gene Expression in the Medicinal Leech

Published on: April 17, 2008

A Method for Microinjection of Patiria minata Zygotes
08:48

A Method for Microinjection of Patiria minata Zygotes

Published on: September 1, 2014

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 16, 2026

High Throughput Microinjections of Sea Urchin Zygotes
12:40

High Throughput Microinjections of Sea Urchin Zygotes

Published on: January 21, 2014

Localized RNAi and Ectopic Gene Expression in the Medicinal Leech
16:19

Localized RNAi and Ectopic Gene Expression in the Medicinal Leech

Published on: April 17, 2008

A Method for Microinjection of Patiria minata Zygotes
08:48

A Method for Microinjection of Patiria minata Zygotes

Published on: September 1, 2014

  • Manipulation of gene expression using injected mRNA, morpholino oligos, or plasmid constructs.

    • Main Results:

    • Successful microinjection of various cell types in Helobdella embryos, from zygotes to small blast cells.
    • Demonstration of techniques for tracing cell lineages, inducing cell death, and manipulating gene expression.
    • Consideration of molecular diffusion through gap junctions and strategies to control it.

    Conclusions:

    • Microinjection is a powerful and adaptable technique for investigating Helobdella embryonic development.
    • The described homemade system provides a versatile approach for researchers.
    • Understanding molecular diffusion is crucial for effective experimental design in leech embryos.